ANCYL marchers show support for Malema

Over a hundred ANC Youth League supporters marched outside the ruling party's Luthuli House headquarters in Joburg on Monday in support of suspended league president Julius Malema.

Several police vehicles blocked off parts of Sauer and President streets around the building in anticipation of a greater turnout of supporters.

Prisoner rights activist Golden Miles Bhudu stood on a nearby wall, holding up a placard in support of Malema.

“Cde Cyril (Ramaphosa) do the right thing. There is no case here, only shackles,” it read.

Ramaphosa, in his capacity as ANC appeals committee chairman, would hear oral arguments at Malema's hearing at Luthuli House on Monday. Supporters were unsure if the hearing had begun. SABC radio news reported by 11am that it was underway.

“I have been here since six this morning. And I will wait here until we are told what is happening inside,” Bhudu said.

The 49-year-old activist said he supported the ANCYL because it was raising issues that “elderly” ANC members had not spoken out on.

“The youth need wisdom from people like us. They have raised very crucial and sensitive issues like land reform and economic freedom... Issues that the elders should have raised.”

At noon on Monday a police convoy escorted several vehicles out of the building. Officials nearby refused to confirm whether Malema was one of the passengers.

ANC spokesman Keith Khoza said on Monday that party members were instructed not to comment on the hearing.

“The media have been kept out, and we don't know anything about it. The media might receive information once the hearing is completed.”

ANCYL spokesman Floyd Shivambu refused to comment.

“Don't trouble me with this. I will not say anything about the hearing.”

Malema's lawyers submitted heads of argument to the ANC's national disciplinary committee of appeals last week.

Advocate Patrick Mtshaulana said these detailed why Malema's five-year suspension should be overturned. Malema and other senior ANCYL leaders were suspended in November last year after being found guilty of sowing division within the ANC and of bringing the party into disrepute. This was due to, among other things, comments about bringing about regime change in Botswana.

Mtshaulana said they would try to convince Ramaphosa that they were not given a chance to argue in mitigation of their sentences.

They would also argue that disciplinary committee members, including chairman Derek Hanekom and Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu, should have recused themselves from the disciplinary committee which dealt with the matter.

This was because they had previously publicly disagreed with the ANCYL's positions on land reform and the nationalisation of mines. They would further submit that the verdict and sanctions relied on an outdated section of the ANCYL constitution. - Sapa

ceebee,
wrote

09:30pm on 23 January 2012

If Malama and Zuma are the best the ANC can muster, then the country is doomed. Get professionals to run the country and stop the rot.

Anonymous,
wrote

03:59pm on 23 January 2012

Over a hundred ANC Youth League supporters marched outside the ruling party's Luthuli House headquarters in Joburg on Monday in support of suspended league president Julius Malema. So Few Supporters!!! LOL

mehlo,
wrote

03:49pm on 23 January 2012

hai hai this reporters those people were Congoles not ANCYL get your facts right man i was there i saw everything. they went via commissioner.now i no that the media is misleading us sometimes.

LK,
wrote

02:32pm on 23 January 2012

Floyd Shidumbo.........how I would just LOOOOVE to give you an AAK (Attitude adjustment klap)As for Golden Miles, his shackles are hilarious; if not downright bloody boring. It must be K*K being in his head at age 49. What a martyr.As for Barney - for the very last time - YOU ARE TOAST BOETIE.............